Chapter 8: I Want to Borrow Fifty Million

For example, the Hong Kong Malay Yumin Finance Company right before us is facing such a situation. Unable to obtain a Hong Kong banking license, it can only operate as a finance company within Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Malay Yumin Finance Company has a substantial background; it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yumin Bank, the government bank of Malaysia in Southeast Asia, with strong financial backing.

Lin Haoran, the young master of the Wan’an Group, belongs to the upper echelons of Hong Kong society and already possesses a certain understanding of Hong Kong’s financial environment. Moreover, as a graduate of the London University Business School, and knowing he will continue to develop his career in Hong Kong, he pays particular attention to the city’s financial industry.

Previously, during a business banquet with his father, Lin Wan’an, he had a brief encounter with Yang Changdao, the general manager of the Hong Kong Malay Yumin Finance Company. That was during the summer vacation last year.

Pushing open the glass door, Lin Haoran entered with two younger companions.

“Sir, do you have an appointment?” The receptionist, noticing Lin Haoran’s distinguished aura, greeted him warmly.

“Is General Manager Yang here? If so, please let him know that Lin Haoran from the Wan’an Group is here to see him.”

Of course, there was no appointment. After all, Lin Haoran did not know General Manager Yang’s phone number. But given his status, an appointment was unnecessary.

The Wan’an Group, though not the top enterprise in Hong Kong, had considerable renown.

“Please wait a moment, I’ll inform General Manager Yang right away.” Upon learning Lin Haoran’s identity, the young receptionist wasted no time reporting.

Within a minute, she returned, followed by a man in his forties—the very Yang Changdao, head of the Hong Kong Malay Yumin Finance Company.

“Master Lin’s distinguished presence truly honors Yumin Finance Company.”

“Uncle Yang, the last time we met was a year ago, wasn’t it? Time flies. Seeing you so vibrant and full of vigor brings me genuine joy. I imagine your company’s performance has been flourishing, business thriving across the Three Rivers, with wealth flowing far and wide!”

The two shook hands, exchanging polite pleasantries.

Clearly, Yang Changdao had a deep impression of Lin Haoran.

Lin’s casual address of “Uncle Yang” subtly shortened the distance between them.

Hearing Lin Haoran call him “Uncle Yang,” Yang’s smile brightened even more.

“Master Lin, please come to my office.”

Lin Haoran nodded, instructing his two companions, Li Weiguo and his brother, to wait in the lounge outside.

Then he followed Yang Changdao into the office.

The Hong Kong Malay Yumin Finance Company was affluent, renting out the entire seventeenth floor of the Admiralty Building.

Yang’s office was luxuriously furnished.

“Master Lin, would you like something to drink?” Yang asked after they sat down.

“No need to trouble you, Uncle Yang. You’re my elder; just call me Haoran. My father has told me you are an outstanding entrepreneur. If possible, I hope to have more contact with you.”

Lin Haoran came with a purpose, so he naturally had to be thick-skinned.

Yang Changdao might not be a major figure, but with the strong financial backing of Yumin Bank behind him, and Lin Haoran currently in need of funds, it was necessary to foster a closer relationship.

“In that case, I won’t be modest. I’ll call you Haoran. What brings you here today? I dislike beating around the bush—let’s get straight to the point,” Yang said, cutting to the chase.

After all, they had only met once before, and despite bridging the gap, they were still unfamiliar with each other.

“Uncle Yang, I’m here to discuss a business transaction with Yumin Finance Company,” Lin Haoran smiled.

“Haoran, are you representing the Wan’an Group this time?” Yang’s tone revealed hope and delight.

As general manager of Yumin Finance Company, he naturally wished for the company’s performance to soar. But the competition in Hong Kong’s banking sector was fierce; against local banks, Yumin Finance had little advantage.

So cooperation with the Wan’an Group would certainly bring significant business.

The industry was fiercely competitive, and as head of Yumin Bank’s Hong Kong branch, Yang had to find every possible way to boost performance.

He had not expected business to come knocking today.

“Uncle Yang, this time I’m here on my own behalf, not representing the Wan’an Group. I’m seeking a personal loan from Yumin Finance,” Lin Haoran shook his head.

The internal competition among the Lin brothers for the Wan’an Group’s succession had not been disclosed, so Yang was unaware.

Lin Haoran’s words instantly disappointed Yang.

If it were a personal loan, his performance gains would be much smaller.

Still, Yang was reluctant to offend Lin Haoran; after all, perhaps through him, he could connect with the Wan’an Group.

With that hope, Yang asked, “How much are you hoping to borrow, Haoran?”

“I’d like to borrow fifty million Hong Kong dollars,” Lin Haoran stated, giving a figure even he himself found almost impossible.

He was short on cash now; the more funds he controlled, the better. He was confident he could repay easily in the future.

These words startled Yang.

He had assumed Lin Haoran would request at most a few tens of millions, which could be granted without collateral based on Lin’s status.

But fifty million Hong Kong dollars was simply impossible.

He shook his head. “Haoran, to be frank, if this loan were in the name of the Wan’an Group, I could lend you even a hundred million Hong Kong dollars. But as a personal loan, I can’t approve such a sum.”

The Wan’an Group’s market capitalization exceeded one hundred million, with asset valuations over two hundred million Hong Kong dollars—a very high-quality listed company, although undervalued by the market. Yang knew this well.

If the loan were in the company’s name, Yumin Finance could easily approve it.

Of course, he also knew that Wan’an Group rarely borrowed from banks; this was one reason their growth was somewhat moderate. Industry insiders all knew this.

If the Lin family did not control over 50% of the shares, Wan’an Group would have long since been quietly acquired.

“Uncle Yang, I personally own a large cement factory, which generates over two million Hong Kong dollars in annual interest. Additionally, I have a plot of land over thirty thousand square meters in Yuen Long. These can serve as collateral.”

Lin Haoran took the business registration certificate of Huafeng Cement Factory and the land deed from his bag and handed them to Yang.

Yang took the documents and began to examine them carefully.